Technology

Companies exploring ways to combat workforce shortages are finding that technology is impacting their workforce talent strategies. * By Doug Reed * Last December, The Conference Board—a think tank sharing insights about future developments and issues facing business among top executives in multiple industries—released a report detailing why blue-collar workers are now scarcer than white-collar workers. The findings confirm the ...

Businesses are encouraged to be sensitive to privacy rights and issue during background checks, but where is the line? By Fiona Soltes Today’s tight job market creates all sorts of challenges—including the issue of background checks. Include them, and possibly scare off otherwise suitable candidates? Avoid them, and risk a problematic hire? And what of the often murky waters of ...

Because it provides a safe, yet highly realistic, environment in which to train employees, virtual reality training is increasingly being embraced within supply chains. * By Morgan Pettrone * Because it provides a safe yet highly realistic environment in which to train employees—particularly those learning to safely execute potentially dangerous tasks—virtual reality (VR) training is increasingly being embraced within specific ...

Robotics and other types of advanced technology not only can serve to improve the efficiency and productivity of supply chain operations but can “supercharge” the productivity of workers. * By Tom Gresham * When MHI member Vecna Robotics first went to a FedEx facility to introduce its robots there, a worker reacted less than enthusiastically to the arrival of the ...

CEO UPDATE: Data-Driven Supply Chains—Risk Versus Big Reward * By George W. Prest, Chief Executive Officer, MHI  * We can all agree that the risk of becoming a technology laggard is fraught with peril. From the famous Kodak story to more recent examples like Borders, Blockbuster and Toys “R” Us, there are many cases of major brands that failed because ...

Collaborative robotic technology is emerging as a tool for picking and other tasks, and the demand in this market is predicted to continue its exponential growth. * By Sheryl S. Jackson * The collaborative robot, or cobot, market is predicted to grow by more than 60 percent this year, according to research by Interact Analysis. The industry was worth less ...

The supply chain industry has been relatively cautious in adopting technologies. But that’s changing. IoT and predictive analytics, in particular, are providing payoffs for early adopters. * By Mary Lou Jay * The supply chain industry has been relatively cautious in adopting technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced analytics (AA) and artificial intelligence (AI). But that’s changing ...

Next generation (Next-Gen) technologies are being explored for their potential to bring competitive advantage to supply chains as companies cope with the leading operational challenges of increasing customer demands and a shortage of qualified workers. * By Carol Miller * As covered in the fifth annual MHI Annual Industry Report—released at MODEX 2018 last April—11 different next generation (NextGen) technologies ...

Computers can only be as right as the people who write the codes and create and input the data. * By Fiona Soltes * Annette Danek, SVP Fulfillment at Penguin Random House, has had the opportunity to learn coding at several different points in her career. Each time, she said, she’s been struck by the amount of power at her ...

AGV technologies are going to be more adaptable and better able to improve efficiency, especially when it comes to their ability to support customization. * By Nick Fortuna * Working in a refrigerated warehouse or distribution center should not mean employees have to be as tough as NFL players who take the field in the middle of winter wearing short ...